The high-school basketball rulebook states, in no uncertain terms, that contact between opposing
players is illegal and shall result in a foul.

The unwritten rule from game to game, from league to league and from one officiating crew to
another, however, is not so black-and-white. Hand checks and arm bars are illegal ploys commonly
used by defenders and ball-handlers alike to gain an advantage, but they aren’t always called.

“If you follow the law of the land and apply every rule according to the rulebook, some games
might take three hours,” said Brian Spangler, who has officiated in central Ohio for 37 seasons and
also worked college games.

“Let’s face it: Fans don’t want to watch a game where kids shoot free throws all night. They
also don’t want to see players get mugged. It really is a fine line. But kids and coaches alike are
very quick in adjusting to the flow of the game.”

Hoping to increase scoring and promote a more free-flowing game, the NCAA took steps in the
offseason to crack down on rough play in the college game. What once were termed “points of
emphasis” for officials are now specifically worded guidelines in the rulebook.

The new college rules dictate that a player cannot keep a hand or forearm on an opponent or put
two hands on an opponent, and that he or she may not extend an arm or jab at a player or use an arm
bar to impede a dribbler.

College and high-school rules differ in some areas, but the National Federation of State High
School Associations did issue “points of emphasis” regarding excessive contact before this
season.

The rulebook defines illegal contact as any contact affecting the rhythm, speed, quickness and
balance of an opponent.

It goes on to state that “when illegal contact occurs, fouls must be called. Officials must not
refrain from calling these types of actions that create an advantage for the opponent. Illegal
contact must be called regardless of time and score.”

Whether the college crackdown and the NFHS mandates will hasten substantial changes at the
high-school level is open to debate.

“Early on in the preseason scrimmages and the first game, our staff noticed that there were a
lot more fouls being called, and that includes the jayvee and freshman games,” Reynoldsburg boys
coach Scott Davis said. “Since then, I haven’t noticed it quite so much. Maybe they just wanted to
get the message across.”

Africentric boys coach Michael Bates said he has noticed that referees are calling fouls for
hand checking, and are doing so most emphatically early in games to set the tone.

“The differences are most noticeable when two teams of contrasting styles are playing,” Bates
said. “If you play a pressuring style, you want to know what they’re going to let you get away
with.”

Ohio High School Athletic Association assistant commissioner Jerry Snodgrass, who serves as
sport administrator and a liaison of coaches and officials, said he has heard a smattering of
comments that lead him to believe the changes have trickled down.

“One prominent girls coach watched the first Ohio State game and told me that he hopes the
high-school game follows the same lead because things have gotten too rough,” Snodgrass said. “By
the same token, I heard complaints that too many fouls were being assessed. I’ve always maintained
that everybody wants it called close unless it’s (against) them.”